Development sans peace not possible, live with tolerance: PM

Dhaka – Putting emphasis on maintaining peace in the country, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon all to live with tolerance to ensure further development and prosperity of the country.
“(Maintaining) peace is the biggest matter…development is not possible without it. Whatever uplift Bangladesh achieved that is possible for only maintaining peace in the country,” she said, BSS reported.Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, made the remarks when the leaders and workers of her party called on her marking the Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla Nababarsho-1423, at her official Ganobhaban residence here this morning.
The Premier said that since there was peaceful environment over the last one year, the GDP growth is poised to rise to 7.05 percent in the current year alongside increasing of the per capita income to 1466 dollars.
Besides, she said, the people even in the rural areas are celebrating Bangla Nababarsho with festivity.
“The people of the country need scopes for entertainment and they celebrate different festivals like Eid, Puja and Pahela Baishakh throughout the year for this,” she said.
In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said there is nothing to religiously obstruct Pahela Baishakh. “I don’t understand why some elements are giving threat to celebration of Pahela Bishakkh and I have a doubt whether they perform any religion,” she said.
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, AL Presidium Members Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Advocate Sahara Khatun and Satish Chandra Roy, Organizing Secretaries AFM Bahauddin Nasim and Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, central leaders Muhammad Faruk Khan and Abdus Sobhan Golap were present, among others.
Earlier, the AL central leaders greeted the Prime Minister by presenting bouquets to her.
Coming down heavily on vested quarters trying to mislead the people by mixing the traditional festival with religion, the Prime Minister said those who give threat to celebration of those festivals in fact undermine religion.
“While making excesses in the name of religion, some elements are killing people by blasting bombs alongside giving threat…they are creating scopes for others to speak by maligning religion,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said it is unfortunate that often some people or parties try to say many things against other’s religions although holy religion Islam strongly suggests that everyone would follow their respective religions and none would hurt other’s religion.
Referring to the directives of Great Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) not to exaggerate the religion, she said the Islam does not permit to confuse and threat people in the name of religion, killing people through hurling bombs.
“Those who issue such threat, use to malign and bad name our religion. For this, others get scope to raise question against our religion and it’s also my question do they really believe in religion,” she added.
Taking a swipe at some quarters and individuals who criticised the government security measures for Pahela Baishakh that prohibit any programme after 5pm , Sheikh Hasina mentioned that bomb attacks even in the developed countries like France, Belgium and shooting in the USA shocked and scared the whole world.
“We’ve responsibility to ensure security of the countrymen. I hope everyone would follow the guidance and suggestions of the security measures by the government…who would take the responsibility if any untoward incident happens,” she said.
The Premier also blasted those who are hurting religious sentiments of the people through so-called writing.
Shiekh Hasina questioned why the government would take responsibility in case of any untoward incident for such writings. “Everyone should maintain decency otherwise in case of any uncivilized attitude, the government wouldn’t take the responsibility,” she said.
The Prime Minister hoped that the pace of socioeconomic development in various fields that has been initiated would continue.
She also renewed her vow to build a hunger and poverty free middle income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041.
Later, the AL leaders and workers were entertained with traditional fruits and cakes as well as muri, khoi, naru, moa, kadma, jilapi and sweetmeats.